Apparatus for treating magnetic ore



Feb. 24, 1970 E. G. FERRIS APPARATUS FOR TREATING MAGNETIC ORE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1968 INVENTOR. EDWARD G. FERRIS BY MK ATTORNEY.

Feb. 24,1970 E. G. FERRIS APPARATUS FOR TREATING MAGNETIC ORE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1968 I EDWARD e. FERRIS m ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,497,061 APPARATUS FOR TREATING MAGNETIC ORE Edward G. Ferris, 22 Hudson St., Gibbstown, NJ. 08027 Filed Jan. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 699,848 Int. Cl. B03c N30 US. Cl. 209223 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of the invention As is well known to those versed in the art, magnetic ores are highly desirable, such as magnetite. These magnetic ores are often found in sandand gravel-mining operations, but the percentage of magnetic ore is quite small and in the past has not economically justified its removal. That is, the capital expenditure and operating expenses required to remove magnetic ores from sand and gravel have been economically prohibitive.

Summary Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel and greatly improved apparatus for recovering magnetic ore, which apparatus is sufficiently economical, both in initial cost and operation, to justify the processing of and removal from sand and gravel of even small percentages of magnetic ore.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic-ore-removal apparatus of the type described which requires relatively little power, being operable in many instances from the power of a slurry being operated upon.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic-ore-removal apparatus of'the type described which may include one or more stages or ore removal for successive refinement thereof and employs a relatively simple, durable and entirely reliable structure incorporating permanent magnets and rotating parts to achieve highly effective magnetic-ore separation with little or no supervision and maintenance.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal elevational view, partly in section, showing apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing further apparatus of the instant invention.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, the apparatus illustrated therein includes an upwardly opening trough 10 disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal, declining rightward in the drawing, for gravitational flow through the trough of a slurry 11 containing the magnetic ore to be removed, such as an aqueous slurry of sand and gravel.

At an upstream region of the trough or channel '10, there is mounted a drum 12, as on a shaft 13, for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. That is, the drum 12 is arranged longitudinally of the trough or channel 11 having its lower portion entering into the channel for partial submergence beneath the level of slurry 11. The drum 12 may have one side closed, as at 15, its other side being provided with an inturned peripheral flange 16. In this manner, the closed drum side or wall 15 may be suitably fixed to the shaft 13 to mount the drum 12 for its rotative movement, while the interior of the drum remains open to access through the other side, for purposes appearing presently.

The How of slurry 11 is in the rightward direction, as indicated by arrow 17, and the direction of rotation of drum 12 is counterclockwise, see arrow 1, so that the lower drum region within the trough 10 moves in the same direction as the slurry 11. Further, by means appearing more fully hereinafter, the linear velocity of rotation of drum 12 is advantageously approximately equal to that of the slurry 11.

Interiorly of the drum 12 is a magnet, generally designated 20. The magnet 20 extends from a lower interior region of the drum, as at 21, counterclockwise approxim-ately to an upper discharge region 22 within the drum 12 is counterclockwise. see arrow 18, so that the may be varied, but the configuration illustrated has been found advantageous. In practice, the arcuate magnet 20 may consist of a plurality of separate permanent magnets suitably secured together with their magnetic directions extending radially of the arcuate configuration. A mounting plate 23 may be fixed to the magnet 20, extending radially inwardly therefrom, and in turn connected to a bracket 24 extending laterally exteriorly of the drum 12 for fixed securements to a suitable supporting member, as by fasteners 25 to the adjacent side of channel 10.

Advantageously the external peripheral surface of drum 12 is frictional, say being serrated or roughened. In practice, Carborundum cloth laminated to the external peripheral surface of drum 12 has been found highly advantageous, but other particulate material or grains may be employed. Of course, the drum 12, particularly the circumferential wall thereof, is advantageously of a non magnetic material so as to not adversely affect the action of magnet 20.

Downstream of the drum 12 there is provided a water wheel 30 arranged longitudinally of the channel 10 and having radial vanes 31 depending into the channel beneath the level of slurry 11. The water wheel 30 is mounted by any suitable means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis to be driven by movement of the slurry. In turn, the water wheel 30 may be connected by any suitable transmission means 32, say bevel gears or the like, to drum 12 for driving the latter. Additional water wheels may be employed, depending upon the driving power required.

A generally circular transfer plate or disc 35, advantageously of non-magnetic material, is mounted in enerally downwardly facing relation over the drum 12. More specifically, the rotary plate or disc 35 may be carried by a rotatable shaft 36 and disposed in an inclined plane with one marginal portion 37 adjacent to and facing downwardly toward the peripheral surface of drum 12 proximate to the discharge end 22 of magnet 20. The rotary plate or disc 35 is advantageously of a nonmagnetic material, and an arcuate magnet 38 is disposed adjacent to and on the upper side of the rotary plate extending in an arcuate path about the axis of plate rotation generally from the transfer region 37 approximately 225 to a discharge region 39. The angle of the arcuately extending magnet 38 may be varied, if desired. Also, the magnet 38 may advantageously be fabricated of a plurality of separate permanent magnets arranged with their magnetic fields extending normal to the plate 35. In the same manner as the peripheral surface of drum 12, it has been found highly advantageous to provide a roughened or frictional surface on the underside of plate 35, as of Carborundum or other suitable means. Con ventional journal and drive means of any desired type may be provided for shaft 36. Also, shaft 36 and its rotary plate 35 may be driven from the water wheel 30, if desired.

Beneath the lower region of rotary plate 35, just beyond the discharge end of arcuate magnet 38, there is provided a receptacle or hopper 40. In addition, a pair of fluid conduits 41 and 42 are respectively directed to the lower and upper surfaces of the rotary plate 35 at the discharge region thereof. The fluid conduits or nozzles 41 and 42 may be connected to suitable fluid supplies, say a source of water, for impingement upon the lower and upper surfaces of the rotary plate 35 and gravitational draining into receptacle 40.

As thus far described, it will be appreciated that the slurry 11, containing magnetic ore or ores, such as magnetite, moves downwardly past the drum 12. At this region the magnetic ore is attracted by the lower region 21 of magnet 20 to the underside of the drum 12, as shown at 45 in FIGURE 1. By reason of the magnetic action of magnet 20 and the abrasive surface of drum 12, the attracted ore moves counterclockwise upwardly with the drum, as at 46, to an upper region proximate to the upper terminus 22 of magnet 20. Upon continued drum rotation past the upper end region 22 of magnet 20, the magnetic ore is no longer attracted to the drum 12, but becomes attracted upwardly to the underside of rotary plate 35, at approximately the transfer region thereof. The plate 35 rotates, as in the direction of arrow 47 in FIGURE 2, to displace attracted ore particles laterally to the discharge region 39, where the ore tends to fall from the underside of the plate, having passed the field of magnet 38. From the plate 35, the ore falls into receptacle 40, and effectively complete removal of the ore from plate 35 is achieved by impingement of water against the plate from conduits 41 and 42. The flowing of water against the upper side of the plate through conduit 42 has been found desirable, as a small amount of particles tend to move about the plate edge. The ore thus recovered in receptacle 40 is desirable for many purposes and may, in this condition, be employed by steel mills.

Should further refinement be desired, say to separate pure magnetite from impure magnetite, or to achieve classification of the ore in grades, the product collected in receptacle 40 may be further treated in the apparatus of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, there will be seen the receptacle or hopper 40 disposed above the input region of an endless conveyor 50. That is, the endless conveyor 50 may include a pair of generally parallel, horizontally spaced rotary rolls 51 and 52, about which is trained an endless belt 53 having an upper, conveying run 54 and a lower, return run 55. The belt 53 is advantageously of a nonmagnetic material, and mounted closely beneath the upper run 54 is a magnet 56. The magnet 56 may, in practice, be constituted of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged with their magnetic fields generally parallel to each other and normal to the upper conveyor run 54. The rolls 51 and 52 are mounted for rotation in the 4 counterclockwise direction, so that the upper conveyor run 54 moves in the direction of arrow 57. The magnet 56 has one end region 58 at the inlet end of the upper run 54 beneath the hopper or dispenser 40, and extends therefrom beneath the upper run to a transfer region 59 adjacent to and short of the discharge end of the upper conveyor run. Advantageously the outer surface of :belt 53 is frictional in nature, as by the adherence of Carborundum, or by other suitable means.

Arranged adjacent to and spaced slightly over the upper run 54 of conveyor 50, in the region of the transfer end 59 of magnet 56, there is mounted a drum 60. The drum 60 may be mounted for rotation about the generally horizontal axis of shaft 61, generally parallel to the axes of rolls 51 and 52, and is interiorly hollow, being provided therein with an arcuate magnet 62 extending from a lower interior region of the drum proximate to the transfer end 59 of magnet 56, in a clockwise direction upwardly. The magnet 62 may be composed of a plurality of separate permanent magnets arranged with their poles parallel and generally radially of the drum 60. The peripheral wall of the drum 60 is of a nonmagnetic material, and the outer surface thereof is advantageously roughened, as by Carborundum grains, or other suitable frictional material. While omitted from the drawings for simplicity, suitable fixed support means are employed in conjunction with the magnets 56 and 62 to maintain the same in their illustrated positions. Also, the drum-mounting shaft 61 is suitably journaled, and rotates in the clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow 63, being driven .by any suitable means, such as a motor 64 through a belt 65. Also, the conveyor 50 may be driven, indirectly from the motor 64, as by a belt 66 from the drum 60 to roll 52. Of course, other suitable power-transmission means may be employed, if desired, say sealed gears, or the like.

In operation, the ore particles of varying quality are delivered from the hopper 40 to the upper belt run 54, being effectively retained thereon for movement at belt speed by the magnet 56. The ore particles progress to the transfer end region 59 of belt magnet 56, moving at belt speed, which is substantially equal to the peripheral speed of drum 60. Upon release from the field of magnet 56, the ore particles on belt run 54 are attracted to the drum 60 by magnet 62. The high-grade ore particles will be attracted first, as at 70, the intermediate-grade particles being attracted next, as at 71, and the relatively low-grade particles or waste rock remaining on the belt, as at 72. The rotational speed of drum 60 is selectively adjustable, as by drive motor 64, so that the high-grade ore particles will remain attracted to the drum throughout their movement along the magnet 62, and when past the magnet will be centrifugally thrown from the drum, as at 70a. Particles of lesser magnetic quality will be centrifugally thrown from the drum at an earlier stage or lower location, as at 71a.

In addition to selective adjustment of drum speed and belt speed, the ore-refining apparatus of FIGURE 3 is provided with a plurality of adjustable receivers or collectors 73, 74 and 75. The receiver 73 is lowermost, being defined between a pair of vertically adjustable blades or vanes 76 and 77 which have an inlet opening 78 located just above the upper belt run 54 for receiving the waste particles 72. The receiver 74 is defined between the blade or vane 77 and a next upper blade or vane 79, and provide an inlet opening 80 for receiving the intermediate ore grade 71a centrifugally discharge from drum 60 at a lower elevation. The receiver is defined between the blades or vanes 79 and 81, which provide an inlet opening 82 at an uppermost level for receiving the highest ore grade 70a.

In addition to the variable-speed controls afforded for the belt conveyor 50 and drum 60, the receiver blades or vanes 76, 77, 79 and 81 are respectively provided with vertical adjustability, as by pin-in-slot mounts 82, 83, 84 and 85, respectively. Hence, the degrees of ore separation may be selectively varied, as desired. Of course, additional receivers may also be employed.

The materials collected at the respective receivers 73, 74 and 75 may be utilized, as desired. The highest-grade ore 70a being substantially pure magnetite, if desired, and the intermediate ore grade 71a being adapted for grinding to obtain pure magnetite.

Also, it will be appreciated that a further degree of versatility may be achieved by utilizing magnets of varying strength along their extents, say to assure more definite separation of grades and different materials in the embodiment of FIGURE 3.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an ore-recovery process which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation, maintenance and use.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for removing particles of magnetic ore from sand, gravel and the like, said apparatus comprising a generally flat inclined trough for gravitationally conveying a slurry containing magnetic ore, an upright rotary drum of nonmagnetic material disposed longitudinally of and over said trough having it lower peripheral region in said trough and rotatable in the direction of slurry movement, said drum having a roughened external surface, a fixedly positioned permanent arcuate magnet in said drum extending continuously from the lower drum region upwardly in the direction of drum rotation to an upper transfer region, a rotary plate of nonmagnetic material mounted in an inclined plane with one portion facing obliquely downwardly toward said drum proximate to said transfer region and the remainder of said plate extending laterally beyond said drum and trough, and a second fixedly positioned permanent arcuate magnet above and extending continuously along the path of plate movement from said transfer region to a discharge location spaced laterally from said drum, whereby magnetic particles in said trough are attracted to said drum and carried by the latter to said transfer region where they are magnetically attracted to said plate and carried by said plate to said discharge region for discharge therefrom.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with a rotary water wheel located in driven relation with said slurry, and transmission means connected between said water wheel and drum for driving the latter.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with fluid-flow means directed against said plate at said discharge region for aiding in particle removal from the plate.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with a rotary endless conveyor belt having an upper run arranged to receive at one location the particles removed from said plate, magnetic means beneath said upper run extending from said one location in the direction of belt movement to a second location, a second rotary drum over and facing said upper run proximate to said second location and having its facing surface moving generally in the same direction as said belt, additional magnet means in said second drum extending from proximate to said second location a predetermined distance in the direction of second drum movement, and a plurality of particle receivers located along said second drum for centrifugally receiving successively discharged particles from said second drum, to thereby separate particles of greater and lesser magnetic content, said receivers comprising vertically spaced vanes extending generally tangentially of said second drum, and mounting means adjustably mounting said vanes for selective vertical spacing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 422,732 3/1890 Conkling 209-223 739,741 9/1903 Sweet 209--223 765,013 7/1904 King 209-223 780,870 l/1905 Dawes 209229 X 939,523 11/1909 Ludwick 209-223 X 1,177,981 4/1916 Wright 209-229 X 1,391,400 9/1921 Neville 209-216 1,686,917 10/1928 McAdams 209-222 1,729,095 9/1929 Crist 209-223 2,256,723 9/1941 Stearns 209223 FOREIGN PATENTS 116,785 6/1961 U.S.S.R.

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner ROBERT HALPER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 209229, 232 

